PINE BLUFF -- Jefferson County sheriff's deputies arrested the owner of CJ's Garage on a manslaughter charge Thursday in the March death of a Pine Bluff man who was mauled in an attack by pit bull dogs at the business.
John Chester Smith, 62, who is also known as "CJ," was held Thursday night at the Jefferson County jail in lieu of a $5,000 bond and was later released, according to the sheriff's office website. Smith will be ordered to appear before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Rob Wyatt on June 2 for a plea and arraignment.
Manslaughter is a Class C felony punishable by three to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
De'Trick Omar Johnson, 36, died March 21 after being mauled by several pit bull terriers that escaped from CJ's Garage at 300 Thomas Road in Jefferson County.
Authorities have said Smith was not at the garage at the time of the attack, and the business was closed. Johnson got out of his vehicle and approached the gate when the pit bulls rushed under the fence and attacked him, police said.
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities shot four of the dogs, and two were captured by police and Pine Bluff Animal Services. One dog, described as brown and white, ran away.
A sheriff's office spokesman said Smith had been warned in the past about his dogs and their aggressive behavior.
State Desk on 04/26/2015